Protection of a maritime area or coastline against underwater threats

Anti-submarine protection is essential to ensure security and preserve peace in the maritime domain. With the increasing use of underwater assets by state and non-state entities, the nature of the underwater domain is changing, necessitating the development of effective technologies and strategies to address these threats and challenges.

One of the main concerns is the security of critical infrastructures such as oil pipelines, gas pipelines, power and communication lines. Incidents in these infrastructures can have a severe economic impact. Additionally, the surveillance and defence of submarine cables that provide internet to the entire world is vital for the global economy. Therefore, anti-submarine protection is an essential measure to maintain security in maritime spaces.

SAES contributes significantly to this protection through the use of SONAR-based systems, both active and passive, which are installed on board ships, submarines, aeroplanes, and helicopters. These systems allow the detection of potential underwater or surface threats, ensuring comprehensive protection.

One of SAES’s standout products is the SOLARSUB, a high-performance digital towed sonar that provides long detection ranges. Installed on board submarines, its detection capability is greatly enhanced as the sonar antenna is towed by the submarine’s stern, providing 360º coverage, including surface and stern. This helps avoid the submarine’s own noise and offers better protection against attacks from the stern, where the submarine is most vulnerable.

Another key system is SEAPROF, which allows the real performance of any sonar or sonobuoy to be known with distance, taking into account bathythermography and the type of seabed in any area of the world. Its effectiveness has been proven at sea and validated with NATO applications, offering estimates adjusted to the real scenario rather than theoretical ones.

The ONMS is another essential system that allows the monitoring of self-noise in submarines and minehunters, which is crucial for the safety and operation of these vessels. Meanwhile, the SPAS is a sonobuoy acoustic processor that detects, locates, and tracks underwater threats from aerial platforms, incorporating the most advanced acoustic processing techniques for all types of passive and active sonobuoys.

Finally, the DISOUROS is a powerful and advanced acoustic processor that uses a low-frequency dipping sonar and sonobuoys to detect, locate, and track underwater threats. This system provides interoperability between corvettes, frigates, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), ensuring effective coordination in anti-submarine warfare missions.

In conclusion, SAES offers a range of advanced technological solutions that enable the effective protection of maritime areas and coastlines against underwater threats, thus ensuring security and stability in the maritime domain.